Started the day with a shuttle down to Pinkham Notch Visitor's Center for all you can eat breakfast. I filled up on eggs, muffins, pancakes, yogurt, and coffee. The dining room had a cool stained glass profile of the White Mountains.
First section of hiking was up to Wildcat Ridge. The northbound ascent is the steepest mile on the Appalachian trail.
At the top was a chair lift for the ski slopes on the side of the mountain. No rides today though. The view was stunning but limited due to it being hazy.
Of course after climbing all that way we had to descend to Carter Notch, which also had a hut. Here's a view looking down on the hut and another looking back up at Wildcat Mountain.
We took lunch at the hut and met one of the caretakers who had just hiked in a bunch of food and other supplies. He used a wooden pack frame that seems to have been around for a while.
After loading up with water we had a big climb back out and over Mt. Hight. More hazy and beautiful views.
Next down to Zeta Pass and than a little more climb over Carter Mountain. This was more challenging because many trees were down and sections of the trail were steep and wet.
We finally made it to Imp Shelter and found nobody else there. It was late due to us hiking for more than 12 hours over the difficult terrain. We were rewarded with a nice spot for dinner with furniture! As the sun set we ate, going straight to bed after.
